Shops could be fined thousands for selling dangerous fireworks

Four Newham shopkeepers may be fined thousands of pounds for selling powerful rocket fireworks to youngsters.

Trading Standards and council enforcement officers swooped on shops in East Ham, Green Street, Silvertown and Plaistow but they refuse to identified the premises at this stage for legal reasons.

The owners could each face fines of up to �5,000 or six months in jail.

Officers used test purchasing to catch the shopkeepers, who allegedly sold fireworks to the 14 and 15-year-olds.

The checks followed complaints from local residents who were concerned that young people had been seen buying age–restricted goods in the area.

Trading Standards officers have been visiting shop owners throughout the borough around Bonfire Night and Diwali and issuing them with an advice pack on the legal sale of fireworks.

Cllr Unmesh Desai, executive member for crime and anti-social behaviour, said:“We will take swift and severe action against anyone who is found selling age restricted goods to underage people. These laws are in place to protect young people from harm.”